Origin
Marion, AL
Evening in Marion on Wednesday
Local time
6:57 PM
CDT
Current temp
78°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Marion, AL to Tuscaloosa, AL
Last recalculated Apr 15, 2026
Drive Time
1h 3m
Distance
58.4 mi
94 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$9
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 58m
★
6 AM
1h 3m
8 AM
1h 13m
10 AM
1h 7m
12 PM
1h 6m
3 PM
1h 7m
5 PM
1h 13m
8 PM
1h 0m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Marion, AL
Muhammad Nabeel
Tuscaloosa, AL
Kelly
Trip Overview
Traveling from Marion to Tuscaloosa is a straightforward 58.4-mile journey that typically takes about one hour and three minutes. Because this is a relatively short trip within the Southeast region, you can easily complete it as a convenient day trip without the need for an overnight stay. Expect to budget approximately $8 for fuel, making this an economical excursion. You will primarily navigate via State Route 5 and the Martin Luther King Parkway. This route serves as a functional connection between these two Alabama locations, offering a practical way to reach your destination without significant travel fatigue.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
29.2 miles from Marion, AL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 31m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive that demands your full attention rather than a monotonous interstate cruise. Since the highway share is 0%, you won't be dealing with high-speed, multi-lane traffic, but rather the nuances of local roads. You will find that there is no single long stretch of road, as the route is defined by its frequent transitions along State Route 5. The lack of major highway segments means the pace remains steady and consistent throughout the hour-long commute. Navigating these local corridors provides a direct, hands-on driving experience that keeps you engaged from start to finish.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 16 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Martin Luther King Parkway is one of the defining roads on this drive.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive.
Route Complexity
1/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
The drive from Marion, AL to Tuscaloosa, AL is easy. At 1h 3m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Marion, AL to Tuscaloosa, AL is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Martin Luther King Parkway | — | — |
| State Route 5 | — | — |
| Tuscaloosa | — | — |
| Old Montgomery Highway | — | — |
| Skyland Boulevard East | — | — |
| Lurleen B Wallace Boulevard North | — | — |
| University Boulevard | — | — |
Some road-level metrics are being recalculated.
Longest stretch:
Martin Luther King Parkway
— detailed segment metrics are refreshing.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Marion, AL and Tuscaloosa, AL.
1
Start on Jefferson Street
0.1 mi
·
31 sec
·
Jefferson Street
2
Continue on Martin Luther King Parkway
1.5 mi
·
3 min
·
Martin Luther King Parkway
3
Turn left onto State Route 5
23 mi
·
32 min
·
State Route 5
4
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward State Route 5
115 ft
·
4 sec
·
State Route 5
5
Exit the roundabout onto State Route 5
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
State Route 5
6
Take the ramp slight right toward Tuscaloosa
0.2 mi
·
36 sec
·
Tuscaloosa
7
Merge slight left
27 mi
·
30 min
8
Take the exit slight left
308 ft
·
11 sec
9
Continue on Old Montgomery Highway
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
Old Montgomery Highway
10
Turn left onto Skyland Boulevard East
0.3 mi
·
42 sec
·
Skyland Boulevard East
11
Turn right
2.4 mi
·
2 min
12
Continue straight
0.4 mi
·
33 sec
13
Continue on Lurleen B Wallace Boulevard North
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Lurleen B Wallace Boulevard North
14
Turn right onto University Boulevard
285 ft
·
10 sec
·
University Boulevard
15
Turn left
167 ft
·
12 sec
16
Arrive at your destination
Trip Plan
Since this is a quick 1 hour and 3 minute drive, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time. You won't need to plan for any extended stops, as the entire 58.4-mile distance is short enough to handle in one go. Keep in mind that because the route relies on local roads rather than major highways, your travel time could be slightly affected by local traffic patterns. It is a good idea to ensure your gas tank is prepared for the $8 estimated fuel cost before you head out. A helpful tip is to check your navigation app for real-time traffic updates on the Martin Luther King Parkway before you depart, as local road conditions can fluctuate during peak hours.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 29.2 miles from Marion, AL, or about 31m into the drive.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 13 miles or 14m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 29.2 miles or 31m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 53m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Tuscaloosa, AL than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Marion, AL so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Marion, AL
This is one driving day of about 58.4 miles and 1h 3m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 13 miles from Marion, AL.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 29.2 mi from Marion, AL · 31m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
29 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Arriving in Tuscaloosa, AL
The final approach into Tuscaloosa, AL usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$8.82 one way
$17.64 round trip
$3.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
20 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.21 | $9.68 | $19.36 |
| premium | $4.56 | $10.48 | $20.96 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $12.89 | $25.79 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$9
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$34–$59
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 20.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $6 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 17.5 | 0 | $6.13 | $2.80 |
| Efficient EV | 14.6 | 0 | $5.11 | $2.34 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 23.4 | 0 | $8.18 | $3.74 |
Gas CO2
20 kg
EV CO2
7 kg (65% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Destination
Tuscaloosa, AL
Evening in Tuscaloosa on Wednesday
Local time
6:57 PM
CDT
Current temp
79°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
49°F
Brent, AL
29 mi in
Time zone
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
1 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
1h 3m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Marion, AL to Tuscaloosa, AL covers 58.4 miles and takes about 1h 3m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Martin Luther King Parkway, State Route 5, Tuscaloosa. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 29.2 miles from Marion, AL. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $8.82 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
The drive from Marion, AL to Tuscaloosa, AL is easy. At 1h 3m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Marion, AL to Tuscaloosa, AL is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Marion, AL to Tuscaloosa, AL does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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